Athens - Greece is to impose a smoking ban in public places, the health ministry announced Wednesday, after previous partial-bans were ignored in what is one of Europe's heaviest smoking nations.

greek smokers
©AFP
Smokers outside an exhibition hall in Athens
Two previous laws, forcing businesses, bars and restaurants to limit smoking to designated areas, were widely flouted.

The new total ban, which will also include a provision to raise the tobacco-purchasing age to 18, will be presented to the Greek parliament in June.

Around one in three 12-18 year olds have tried smoking, whilst one in ten is addicted, according to a 2007 survey.

The number of smokers in Greece has gone up ten percent in ten years, it also found, whilst many other developed nations are cutting back on cigarette smoking.

Britain, Ireland and France have already banned smoking in public places.